CHAPTER XII.
SPAIN.
Resemblance between Spanish and Roman Laws on Prostitution.—Code of Alphonse IX.—Result of Draconian Legislation.—Ruffiani.—Court Morals.—Brothels.—Valencia.—Laws for the Regulation of Vice.—Concubines legally recognized.—Syphilis.—Cortejo.—Reformatory Institutions at Barcelona.—Prostitution in Spain at the Present Day.—Madrid Foundling Hospital.
Between the ancient Spaniards and the Romans a most intimate connection subsisted from an early period of the Roman republic, and the laws and customs of the former bore the closest resemblance to those of the latter. This affinity continued so long as the Roman empire had a name, and after the establishment of Christianity as the state religion, the ties of kindred and dependence were drawn still closer, for the Spanish kingdom has ever been the favored heritage, and its rulers the most obedient sons of Rome. Thus the maxims of the Roman civil law were early incorporated into the political system, and they still remain the chief pillars of Spanish jurisprudence. Accordingly, we find, in their legislation on prostitution, that the Spaniards, together with the general theories, adopted the specific enactments of other Latin nations.
By the code of Alphonse IX., in the twelfth century, procurers were to be condemned to “civil death.” Such offenders were thus classified:
1. Men who trafficked in debauchery; these were to be banished.
2. Keepers of houses of accommodation, who were to be fined, and their houses confiscated.
3. Brothel-keepers who hired out prostitutes, which prostitutes, if slaves, were to be manumitted; if free, were to be dowried at the cost of the offenders, so that they might have a chance of marriage.
4. Husbands conniving at the prostitution or dishonor of their wives: these were liable to capital punishment.